RSK, a global leader in the delivery of sustainable solutions, has announced the acquisition of Spencer Group, comprising land management and environmental services specialists Spencer Environmental Care Associates (ECA) and geo-technical contractors and consultants Quantum Geotechnic.

Headquartered in southwest Wales, the Spencer Group has worked with many of the UK’s leading civil and construction companies, national government agencies and local authorities. These include the Welsh Government, Morgan Sindall, Kier, Galliford Try, Balfour Beattie, the Forestry Commission, Natural Resources Wales, Lewis Civil Engineering, Highways Agency, Willmott Dixon, Landmark Trust, National Grid, Scottish Power, Taylor Wimpey, Wessex Water, Thames Water, Welsh Water and Western Power Distribution.

With a workforce of more than 50 and an annual turnover of £10.5 million, Spencer ECA offers an extensive range of services that include groundworks, site clearance, landscaping, forestry, bioenergy and almost all aspects of land and environmental maintenance and management. In more recent times, the company has expanded its offer into the renewables sector – RSK said its work within the renewables sector will create further opportunity for RSK growth.

Quantum Geotechnic provides a full range of geotechnical services, from desk-based research to preliminary risk assessments, mining studies, geotechnical and geo-environmental consultancy, through to site investigations, in-situ testing, specialist ground monitoring installations. The company also provides solutions for ground stabilisation, including soil nailing, mini and micro piling, ground anchors, rock bolting, meshing, shotcrete works and grout injection.

Joint Managing Directors Jamie Jukes and Ross McDermott, who will continue to lead the business, said:

“The clear synergy with the RSK Group, along with the opportunities for growth, made the Spencer Group acquisition by RSK a natural choice.

“More recently, Spencer has supported the renewable energy sector, helping to create many of the UK’s wind and solar installations. The company is also a major provider of bio-energy products. These areas are also those in which many RSK Group companies have been market leaders for some time.”

Photo: RSK Group CEO Alan Ryder

RSK Group CEO Alan Ryder said:

“Spencer will expand our service offering in environmental management services, landscaping, groundworks, site clearance, recycling and forestry work, making a significant contribution to the group’s goals.”

RSK has acquired more than 50 companies since 2020/21

RSK now comprises more than 175 companies, employing 10,000 people – the Group has acquired more than 50 companies from financial year 2020/21 onwards, together with the creation of 8 new companies to date.

In the financial year 2020/2021, RSK acquired: Ground Heat, PA Group, RoC Consulting, WRc, Cognica, Boden + Wasser, Amphos 21, Pharos Generator Services, Pharos Field Engineering Services, Binnies (including Black & Veatch Limited, Black & Veatch Hong Kong Limited and Black & Veatch (SEA) Pte Limited in Singapore), CAS, EDP, CR Civil Engineering, Enviresearch, The Scan Station, RSK Orbital, SkyVision International and Smith + Kennedy Architects. RSK also established four new companies in FY2020/2021: CAN Renewables, RSK Wilding, RSK Environment Switzerland GmbH and Nature Positive.

Last financial year, RSK acquired: Stephenson Halliday, QSI, Waldrams, Althoff & Lang GbR, Minerex, TechnikGS, CS2, Leap Environmental, MWH Treatment, Electrokinetic, EiB, GeoExperts, Carbon Zero Consulting, Envireau Water, Enviroflow, Streetwise, Centara, Hi-Line, Western Project Services, Optisol Services, Non Entry Systems, ATV Contract Services, SCP, Fishtek, Richard Allitt Associates, Inis, Ceetech and Absolute Solar and Wind. RSK also established three new companies in the last financial year: RSK New Zealand, RSK Australia and Solutions By Nature.

In the current financial year, RSK have acquired: Fellows, Windtechs, Watertrain, ADEV, SJA, FR Consultants, Milner Associates, Dermot Casey Group, MSS Group and MG Scaffolding. In this financial year, to date, RSK has established one new company: RSK Centre for Sustainability Excellence.

KBS Corporate and JCP in Swansea were the financial advisrors for the latest acquisition. The Group’s annual turnover at the end of FY22 is expected to be in excess of £800 million, more than double the previous year, as it continues to deliver its ambitious growth strategy.